Hiking to Kuwohi Lookout in Great Smoky Mountains

Getting to the Kuwohi lookout, previously named “Clingman’s Dome”, is fun way to see the park and beyond. Why should you visit Kuwohi observation tower? It’s known as one of the best viewpoints in the whole Great Smoky Mountains National Park because on clear days, you can see fro 100 miles into 7 other states. Most days, due to pollution, you can see roughly 20 miles.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Kuwohi observation tower in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Getting to Kuwohi Observation Tower

To access the Kuwohi viewpoint, you’ll need to head to Newfound Gap Road. Right about halfway between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC you’ll find Kuwohi Road, which heads southwest to the dome.

You’ll be driving in and out of North Carolina and Tennessee as Kuwohi Road takes you roughly 8 miles to the parking area.

Note that Kuwohi Road closes from December 1 to April 1, and any other time weather impedes safety. While the observation point is technically open year round, you’ll have to hike in if the road is closed. I don’t recommend hiking in with kids, as this is at least 12 miles of a hike.

Parking at Kuwohi Trail

The parking lot is a decent size, but can easily fill up during busy times. Please make sure to only park in designated areas, as you WILL be ticketed.

Once you are parked, head to one of the parking tag stations to purchase your tag for the day. While there is no park entrance fee, there IS a parking tag system. That means that if you park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes, you are required to have a parking tag.

Hiking to the Kuwohi Lookout Tower

The hike up to the Kuwohi lookout is no joke. It’s short (right about a half-mile), but it is steep! You’ll gain 360 feet elevation in just a half-mile.

The park trail is a little less traditional. You won’t find dirt or tree roots in your foot path.

This asphalt-paved trail takes you up through beautiful trees and red berries. You’ll have great views all along the way. But it is steep and you’ll probably need to take a few breaks if you’re not use to hiking.

Since the trail is so steep, I do not recommend strollers.

Once you get to the top of the asphalt trail, you’ll see the cement-paved walkway that leads you up to the lookout point (pictured above). This section of the trail felt a little gentler, but still ascended to a 54-foot lookout.

The lookout area at the top isn’t huge, but it can fit a decent amount of people. Make sure to walk around and enjoy those 360 views of the Smoky Mountains and beyond!

What You’ll See at Kuwohi

Kuwohi is a Cherokee word for “Mulberry Place,” which is what the featured mountain is named. At over 6,600 feet, Kuwohi is the second tallest point east of the Mississippi, and the tallest point in Tennessee.

You’ll also see for miles and miles beyond the stunning mountains of the Great Smokies. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see 7 different states up to 100 miles away.

Don’t forget to look down, as well. You’ll notice that your above the tall evergreens, and that’s a cool perspective!

Why Did the Name Change from Clingman’s Dome to Kuwohi Lookout?

A little fun fact:

The name for Clingman’s Dome originally came from explorer Thomas L. Clingman who promoted the area in the 1850’s. It was named Clingman’s Dome in his honor by a geographer in 1859.

However, in 2024, the name officially changed to Kuwohi. This is the name the Cherokee people of the area have always called it, so it is back to the original name.

Other Things to Know

While the viewpoint is the gem of this hike, make sure to look around and enjoy it all. We especially enjoyed spotting the red berries on the trees as we hiked up the steep trail. We also noticed that the Appalachian trail cuts right through the area.

• At the start of the trail to the lookout you’ll see one of the official visitor centers of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Inside is a small bookshop, park-themed gifts for friends, souvenirs, and rangers. The visitor center is closed during winter months.
• There are parking tag machines in the parking lot, as well as vault toilets.
• Of all the hikes we did in Great Smoky Mountains, this was was by far the most crowded. A larger parking lot allows for more people to access it, a short distance takes less time than other longer hikes (like Rainbow Falls, which is highly recommend), and as I mentioned earlier it’s pretty much the best view in the park.
• It’s colder at the top! Make sure to bring layers for the temperature drop and increased wind.

While you won’t get waterfalls on this hike, you’ll get an incredible look at what makes Great Smoky Mountains so great.

Can Kids do the Kuwohi Viewpoint Hike?

Yes! It’s steep, but it’s short. Plenty of people were taking breaks and resting, and plenty of little kids were on this trail. If it’s met with any complaining, I always recommend a motivator for getting through (perhaps some ice cream after dinner that evening? A little TV time back at the hotel?).

Snacks while hiking are always a great motivator (and distraction) as well!

Of course if the kids are really little, I recommend using a sturdy backpack carrier to take them along. Take lots of breaks if you need, carry water, and enjoy the view at the top.

My 4 kids handled the hike well (ages 8-15). Visiting from a higher elevation helped us, but those visiting from a lower elevation may find they are needing a little deeper breaths.

Kuwohi is a great stop to add to your family vacation to Great Smoky Mountains.

Can You Hike in to Kuwohi Viewpoint?

Technically, yes. There are a few trails that lead to the Kuwohi Viewpoint, including the Appalachian Trail. But the shortest of these trails is around 12 miles, so I do not recommend this route when you have kids with you.

Visiting Kuwohi Observation Tower at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

So is it worth visiting Kuwohi at Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Yes, it definitely is. This short but steep hike will take you to the best view in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see for 100 miles in 360 views.

If not, you’ll still be lucky to see 20 miles away across the Great Smokies. Enjoy views of Kuwohi, the “Mulberry Place” mountain, and so many other mountains around you. Grab the kids and enjoy this unique lookout point in the park to see why the Great Smoky Mountains are so beautiful.

If you only have one day to get through Great Smoky Mountains, this is a great opportunity to get out of the car and see something spectacular. If you’ve got 3 days, it’s still a great stop among many others. I would put this as one of the classic, can’t-miss places in the park that you should make sure to visit. And extra bonus if you can visit in late October when the colors will be bursting.

Dont miss:
Rainbow Falls- the tallest waterfall in Smoky Mountain National Park